Reaching the core of his universe, Alexander came to stand before the universe's core and stared at it for a while. The core sensed his presence and swiftly began rotating to show its excitement.
It even leapt into Alex's grasp, continuing its excited spin. The drive that urged him to bond with the universe's core was still there, proof of the connection he shared with the universe as a whole.
'I'm not completely exonerated.' Alex realised with a soft smile, tossing the core back in place. Turning around, he focused on the catwoman a few light years away.
He disappeared and appeared before the concentrating woman. Cassandra had her eyes closed as she focused on meditating on Alex's words.
She had spent days here and she was nowhere close to feeling any different. More than once, she had vented in frustration, unleashing a wave of powerful shockwaves that made the surrounding space tremble.
The catwoman sensed Alexander's presence and opened her eyes. She stared at him for a moment and spoke: "You're back."
Cassandra could tell the difference between Alex's real celestial body and his body doubles. Her brows furrowed slightly as she noticed Alex's stern expression.
"What's wrong?"
Alex didn't immediately reply, opting to sit cross-legged before the catwoman. With a heavy sigh, Alex focused his gaze on Cassandra.
"How far with your attempts?" he asked.
"No progress so far…" Cassandra replied with furrowed brows. "You didn't answer my question, Alex."
"I was able to meet the Supreme One," Alex said with a sigh.
"And…"
"He's actually not the power-hungry entity that I thought he was. He's more of a hands-tied entity doing what he has to do…"
"So why the gloomy aura?" Cassandra couldn't understand. The Alex she knew always had a confident air around his person. So to see him like this was a mystery.
"Remember what I told you about self-ascension?" Alex asked, and the catwoman nodded. "Well, it turns out my guess was correct. Moreover, the self-ascension isn't something that should have been possible."
"So?" Cassandra tilted her head, not sure what Alex was getting at. He had already informed her of the difficulty, and she was experiencing it firsthand.
"Chances of anyone doing the same are next to non-existent," Alex added, still leaving the catwoman with a confused expression.
"What I'm trying to say is that there isn't enough time…"
"Huh…?"
"The Supreme One has been delaying the collapse of the multiverse all this time," Alex added calmly, but Cassandra's eyes were wide with shock at this point. "We have less than half a century…"
"!"
The catwoman jumped to her feet, going as far as backing away. Her expression turned dark as her core thumped vigorously. An involuntary shiver ran down her spine just from processing those words.
More than anyone, she knew what real loss felt like, and hearing the multiverse coming to an end so soon brought back unpleasant memories.
"You're kidding…" Cassandra asked in a barely audible voice.
"I'm serious, Cassandra." Alex got to his feet as well. "If the Supreme One wasn't doing what he currently is, the time might have been far less."
There was something else he was told that shook him more than the news of the multiverse coming to an end. He still had a lot to learn about the multiverse.
"Being a veilwalker with one universe core isn't enough." Maybe for fighting the weaker creatures, but not for the main hitters. "We aren't enough to stop the true monsters out there…"
The more Cassandra heard, the more her heart sank into the pits of despair. What was the point of their gifts if their power wasn't going to be enough?!
The catwoman's breathing grew ragged as her chest rose and fell, fear gripping her core tightly. "Please tell me there is a way for us…"
"The only way is for veilwalkers to fuse with as many universe cores as possible; we have to increase our power," Alex replied. 'The other is for me to grow more powerful as well.' He added to himself.
"How does this even make sense?" The catwoman questioned once more, her expression distant. "Didn't the multiverse know we wouldn't be enough?"
A reasonable concern given that each universe had a veilwalker. Was the multiverse suggesting they fought amongst themselves, or what? Cassandra couldn't understand it.
There was no way she would know the multiverse was searching for something in particular, something it found in the Supreme One and Alexander.
Perhaps, there could be others out there; who knew?
"All this is fucked up, Cassandra, I know." Alex continued with clenched fists. "We're no closer to discovering how this madness began than we are to solving it."
"So what now…?" Cassandra asked, taking a deep breath to calm her raging core. "I'm clearly attempting an impossible feat."
Like Andrew, Alex could tell her she could continue trying. In all honesty, however, Alex wasn't sure anymore. Things were messed up — really messed up.
Alex's gaze shifted towards the direction of the universe core, and Cassandra soon noticed the look in his eyes. The catwoman turned around and realised what Alex was thinking.
"Don't bother." Cassandra shook her head, turning to face Alex. "If being a fully realised god isn't enough, then it's best to remain at the Demi-god level. Better yet…" She floated closer to Alex, coming to stand 2 meters in front of him.
"I'd rather be your vassal to draw from your strength." She said with conviction in her tone. "There's no better alternative than this…"
"Are you sure about this…?" Alex questioned with narrowed eyes, his expression changing from gloom to stern.
"Yes," Cassandra replied without hesitation.
Alex closed his eyes for a moment, seemingly pondering the suggestion. "Very well…" He opened his eyes and gave his answer. "However, it will have to wait…"
Cassandra appeared slightly confused, her brows furrowing questioningly.
"There's something I must do first…" Alex said, raising his left hand and clenching it tightly. "I think I've found a way to become truly independent."
"I thought you already were," Cassandra replied.
Alex chuckled lightly. "I still draw on the energy of this reality, Cassandra. That's not real independence. To be free... I have to become my own source. My own system. My own generator..."